Finally decided to lift the Raptor! Need help deciding....

[jgwoody]

So I've always avoided been of the mindset, didn't wanna lift the raptor and alter the suspension since it's already got a great one (Fox). But now someone enlightened me that you can get a 4" suspension lift that retains all the factory fox stuff (albeit relocates them). So I've narrowed it down to 2 kits: the Fabtech K2186 (https://fabtechmotorsports.com/product/4-system-k2186) and the BDS 1511H (https://bds-suspension.com/product?kid=1511H). Both seem very similar, but I read somewhere (unable to verify) that BDS is actually owned by Fox. Anyway, both are about the same price, so independent of that, does anyeone have any experience with either of these. Also, I am on stock size KO2 (LT315/70R17) tires, so I wanna make sure that will work. The fabtech webpage says it wont work with stock tire rim....Is it because of backspacing? Each kit supports up to 37" so why wouldn't the stock tire work?

 

[gotsboost]

Oh man he said lift kit. FYI you never ever put a lift on a raptor. If you want to raise the front get gieser springs.

 

[jgwoody]

Oh man he said lift kit. FYI you never ever put a lift on a raptor. If you want to raise the front get gieser springs.

Why not? And I did the front perch mod. I'm fine with the front end, just wanted to go higher all around.

 

[gotsboost]

Why not? And I did the front perch mod. I'm fine with the front end, just wanted to go higher all around.

It takes away from everything the raptor is. Lift kits are trash and weaken everything about the suspension. You just don’t do it. I’m sure the boys will chime in soon. See my truck below. Glass and springs is the correct way to fit 37’s.

 

[Stingray23]

It takes away from everything the raptor is. Lift kits are trash and weaken everything about the suspension. You just don’t do it. I’m sure the boys will chime in soon. See my truck below. Glass and springs is the correct way to fit 37’s.

Man, your truck looks good. What have you done to it to get that look?

 

[jgwoody]

It takes away from everything the raptor is. Lift kits are trash and weaken everything about the suspension. You just don’t do it. I’m sure the boys will chime in soon. See my truck below. Glass and springs is the correct way to fit 37’s.

Yeah I was always against lifting it, lose the "raptor" and now you just have a lifted F150. But if it uses all the existing fox stuff, and is specifically engineered to retain all the offroad ride quality/performace, I think thats a little different than a cheap kit that changes everything out. Maybe I'm looking at it wrong. I'm def open to changing my mind though

 

[Jakenbake]

There are plenty of examples of how a drop crossmember kit changes the trucks geometry.

One would be the steering knuckle. In order for the UCA to be in its normal range, the steering knuckle would need to be taller. A taller knuckle would be more prone to bending vs a shorter one, provided it is not reinforced to the point that it wouldn’t.

 

[jgwoody]

There are plenty of examples of how a drop crossmember kit changes the trucks geometry.

One would be the steering knuckle. In order for the UCA to be in its normal range, the steering knuckle would need to be taller. A taller knuckle would be more prone to bending vs a shorter one, provided it is not reinforced to the point that it wouldn’t.

Ah good point. Thanks for the input

 

[FordTechOne]

As others mentioned, lift kits throw off the suspension geometry. They also require cutting the frame, which means you can’t just revert back to stock if you change your mind.

 

[MurderedOutSVT]

4" BDS on 37x13.5